Author: IANS
Publication: The Times of India
Date: October 25, 2008
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/File-Troops-in-Siachen-issued-torn-clothing-CAG/articleshow/3640597.cms
Troops posted at the Siachen Glacier, once
known as the world's highest and coldest battlefield where the weather claims
more lives than combat, have been issued "partly torn" and recycled
special clothing for the winters due to its untimely procurement, a Comptroller
and Auditor General (CAG) report has revealed.
"Army Head Quarters failed to ensure
timely procurement of Special Clothing and Mountaineering items used in operational
areas like Siachen resulting in stock out levels of these critical items being
as high as 44 to 70%," said the CAG report, which was released Friday.
The troops posted at the glacier brave low
temperatures like minus 40 degrees Celsius at altitudes up to 23,000 feet.
"To meet shortage of these items, army
resorted to the unauthorised practice of issuing partly worn stores (PWS)
to the troops in the glacier region. Such practice of recycling of special
clothing items is not desirable on grounds of hygiene, operational suitability
and overall morale of the troops," the report says.
The Indian Army deploys about 19,800 soldiers
in the frigid Siachen Glacier area, which overlooks Pakistan and China.
The depots meant for stocking and distribution
and to ensure ready availability of the right material at the right place
and at the right time to the troops are suffering from persistent shortages.
"Thirty per cent of the user demands
remained unmet, troops in the glacier region had to manage with old worn out
clothing and there was high level of dissatisfaction amongst the troops about
the quality of clothing supplied," said the report.
A user survey conducted by the CAG revealed
that 50% of divisions or regiments were not satisfied with the quality and
fitting of the clothing supplied.
The major dissatisfaction of the users was
related to mismatch between trousers and shirts and their inappropriate sizes,
poor quality of clothing with problem of quick colour fading, low usage life
of boots against prescribed shelf life and lack of water proofing in caps.
